(2.5)Director: Kevin Reynolds
Cast: James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell
Tristan and Isolde had the promise of being a great love story, and I think there was viable chemistry between James Franco and Sophia Myles, they were at the very least an attractive couple and lovely to watch together, at best two rising stars that show promise for the future. There were a few scenes in which the forbidden love is well-played and engaging to the viewer, which I attribute to solid performance and at least a bit of good direction. However, the majority of the film was bland and unfocused, trying to cover two stories and doing neither justice. Aside from the love story (with a dash of deceit), there is a war story that is also incomplete and unengaging...the epic battle seems insignificant in the course of history, despite the premise.
This is a classic case of trying to please too many demographics, and in the end, not reaching any one. My film professor gives the analogy of most American restaurant foods. There are large portions, so you never leave hungry, but rarely is it of a quality where you enjoy and savor every part, so you don't leave fully satisfied either. By trying to please everyone, Tristan and Isolde pleases no one.
That's not to say I regretted seeing it. It was only $5.50 (I went to a cheap theatre) and it captured my attention for the full two hours and more than once provided lovely eye-candy that was worth the price of admission. However, I did wish for more of something, whether it be an in-depth war, or more fateful love story (I wanted to see more of the agony of separation and the mixed joy/agony of togetherness), it felt incomplete.